Ice making apparatus

ABSTRACT

An ice making apparatus comprising a tubular housing member defining an ice forming chamber and providing an inner surface on which thin layers of ice are formed, auger means rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamber and having a generally cylindrical main body portion and a helical blade extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent the inner surface of the tubular housing member, an ice compacting chamber at one end of the ice forming chamber, a conduit system for transmitting ice from the ice forming chamber to an ice storage bin or other location where ice may be used, a discharge spout mounted on the housing member for communicating ice from the compacting chamber to the conduit system, and means including an electrical switch connected with the electrical circuitry of the apparatus and responsive to a predetermined condition within the conduit system for controlling operation of the apparatus.

United States Patent Utter et al. [4 Feb. 4, 1975 ICE MAKING APPARATUS[75] Inventors: Robert P. Utter; Vance L. Kohl, RACT both of Albert Lea,Minn.

[73] Assignee: King-Seeley Thermos C0., Ann Arbor, Mich [22 Filed: Aug.16, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 389,010

Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Assistant Examiner-W. E. Tapolcai, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarness, Dickey & Pierce An ice making apparatuscomprising a tubular housing member defining an ice forming chamber andproviding an inner surface on which thin layers of ice are formed, augermeans rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamber and having agenerally cylindrical main body portion and a helical blade extendingoutwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent the inner surface of thetubular housing member, an ice compacting chamber at one end of the iceforming chamber, a conduit system for transmitting ice from the iceforming chamber to an ice storage bin or other location where ice may beused, a discharge spout mounted on the housing member for communicatingice from the compacting chamber to the conduit system, and meansincluding an electrical switch connected with the electrical circuitryof the apparatus and responsive to a predetermined condition within theconduit system for controlling operation of the apparatus.

18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ICE MAKING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION Generally speaking, the present invention is directed toward anew and improved ice making apparatus of the type comprising a tubularhousing member defining an ice forming chamber and providing an innersurface on which thin layers of ice are formed. The ice is removed by arotatable auger disposed within the housing member and which causes iceto be transferred upwardly toward a discharge opening from where the iceis removed. This type of ice making apparatus is generally shown in theUS. Pat. Nos. 3,283,529 and 3,371,505, both of which disclose the use ofan ice discharge spout for communicating ice from an ice compacting orforming chamber toward a conduit or other means for transmitting the icetoward an ice storage chamber or other location where such ice may bestored or used. Modern applications of such ice making apparatusfrequently require that the actual ice making machine be located remotefrom the ice storage bin or area of use of the ice. This in turn, hasnecessitated the use of some type of conduit or the like forcommunicating the ice making machine with the remote storage bin or areaof use, and it has been found that the lengths of such conduits aredirectly related to the force required to transmit the ice from themachine to the outlet end of the conduit. It has been found that undercertain operating conditions, particularly when relative long and/orcircuitous ice transmitting conduits are utilized for communicating icefrom the aforesaid type ice making machines, the level of back pressurecreated by the 'ice moving through the conduit system may becomeexcessive and inhibit efficient operation and possibly damage theassociated ice making apparatus. In general, the present invention isdirected toward an ice discharge spout for the aforesaid types of icemaking machines, which spout embodies a back pressure responsive meansfor controlling operation of the apparatus under adverse back pressureconditions so as to positively prevent damage thereto. Moreparticularly, the present invention resides in a novel spout designwhich incorporates a back pressure responsive switch that is connectedwith the electrical circuitry of the associated ice making apparatus andis operable in response to a predetermined back pressure condition inthe conduit system to shut off the apparatus so as to prevent any damagethereto, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved ice making apparatus.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a newand improved ice making apparatus which utilizes a novel means forpreventing damage thereto in the presence of an excessive back pressurecondition in the ice delivery conduit system thereof.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an icemaking apparatus which embodies certain improved features over themachines shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,283,529 and 3,371,505.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a newand improved discharge spout arrangement which minimizes to the extremethe possibility of damage to the apparatus due to any back pressure orresistance to the ice flow through the associated delivery conduitsystem.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved ice making apparatus, as above described, which is providedwith an electrical switch in the electrical circuitry thereof that isresponsive to a predetermined back pressure condition in the conduitsystem for deenergizing the apparatus and thus assuring against anydamage thereto as a result of the ice flow back pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved ice making apparatus, as described above, which is of arelatively simple design, is economical to manufacture and that willhave a long and effective operational life.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinalcross-sectional view, partially broken away, ofa portion of an icemaking machine incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the ice making machineshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as seen in the direction of the arrow 3 of FIG.2, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structureshown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, an iceforming apparatus 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown generally as comprising an elongated hollowcylindrical or tubular housing member 12 having auger means in the formof an elongated rotatable auger 14 disposed interiorly thereof. Theauger 14 is formed with reduced diameter upper and lower end portions 16and 18, respectively, which are suitably journal supported by means ofupper and lower bearing assemblies 20 and 22 that are located adjacentthe upper and lower ends of the housing member 12. The auger 14comprises an elongated central body section 24 that is formed with anintegral helical ramp 26 which defines a helical ice shearing edge 28disposed closely adjacent the inner periphery of the tubular housing 12.The outer periphery of the auger l4 and the inner periphery of thetubular housing member 12 define an ice forming chamber 30 about which arefrigeration coil 32 is disposed. The coil 32 is disposed within ashroud or enclosure 34 which is in turn located interiorly of a suitablelayer of insulation or the like, representatively designated by thenumeral 36. A supply of water is adapted to be communicated to the iceforming chamber 30 through suitable conduits or the like (not shown),whereupon energization of the refrigeration coil 32 results in a thinlayer of ice being continuously formed around the inner periphery orsurface of the tubular member 12. As is well known in the art, uponrotation of the auger 14 by means of a suitable drive motor or the like(not shown), the aforesaid layer of ice is transferred axially upwardlyby the helical ramp 26 on the auger 14 to a position where such ice isdischarged in the manner hereinafter to be described.

Disposed adjacent the upper and end of the body section 24 of the auger14 is an ice compacting chamber 42 into which the ice formed in thechamber 30 is transferred by means of the ramp 26 of the auger 14preparatory to said ice being discharged from the apparatus 10. In orderto remove ice displaced into the compacting chamber 42, a dischargeopening 44 is provided in the housing member 12 in generally axial orlongitudinal alignment with the chamber 42. The discharge opening 44 isof a generally rectangular configuration and is cooperable with an icedischarge spout, generally designated by the numeral 54, forcommunicating ice from the apparatus to an associated ice deliveryconduit system which is representatively designated by the numeral 55.Generally speaking, the discharge spout 54 comprises a mounting section56, which is adapted for attachment to the outer periphery of thehousing member 12, and a discharge section 58 which is adapted tocommunicate ice toward a suitable conduit or other ice conveyingmechanism, as will be described. The opposite ends of the mountingsection 56 are formed with a pair of outwardly projecting flanges orears 62 and 64 that are provided with interiorly threaded openings orbores 66 and 68, respectively. The flanges 62, 64 are cooperable with anarcuate retaining plate, generally designated by the numeral 70, whichis mounted on the diametrically opposite side of the housing member 12from the discharge spout 54 and is formed with a pair of outwardlyprojecting flanges or ears 72 and 74 which are disposed in confrontingrelationship with the flanges 62, 64. The flanges 72, 74 are formed withopenings or bores 76, 78 which are respectively aligned with theopenings 66, 68, whereby suitable screws, bolts or similar fasteningelements 80 and 82 may be inserted through the openings 76, 78 and bethreadably engaged with the bores 66, 68 to positively secure thedischarge spout 54 in the operative position shown in FIGS. 1-3. It willbe appreciated, of course, that the discharge spout 54 may be fixedlysecured to the apparatus 10 in a variety of alternative ways; however,the above described cooperation of the spout 54 with the retaining plate70 and fastening means 80, 82 has been found to be highly satisfactoryand preferable.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the discharge section 58 of the spout 54is formed with a cylindrical discharge passage 84 which, along with thesection 58, is oriented at an angle to the axis of the auger 14 andhousing member 12 such that the axis of the passage 84 is arrangedgenerally tangential to the compacting chamber 42 and auger 14. Thepassage 84 is adapted to be communicable at its inner end with thecompacting chamber 42 and at the outer end thereof with the conduitsystem 55 which is intended to carry ice produced by the apparatus 10 tosome destination where the same may be conveniently used. The outer endof the discharge section 58 is formed with an externally threaded endportion 88 for purposes hereinafter to be described.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the icemaking apparatus 10 is provided with a back pressure shut-off assembly,generally designated by the numeral 100, which is associated with thedischarge spout 54 and is operable to automatically cease operation ofthe apparatus 10 at such time as a predetermined back pressure conditionexists in the conduit system 55. The assembly 100 includes an electricalswitch assembly 102 and an actuating assembly 104, which assemblies 102,104 are operatively mounted directly adjacent the discharge section'58of the spout 54, as best seen in the drawing. With reference now to FIG.4, it will be seen that the outer end of the discharge passage 84 isformed with an enlarged diameter counterbore 106 within which theterminal or inner end 108 of the conduit system 55 is operativelydisposed. The extreme inner end 108 is formed with a generally radiallyoutwardly disposed flange or swaged portion 110, the outer diameter ofwhich is slightly larger in diameter than the discharge passage 84.Disposed circumjacent the swaged portion 110 is an O- ring sealingelement 102 which is adapted to provide a fluid-tight sealbetween theinner periphery of the counterbore 106 and the outer periphery of theconduit system 55. Disposed axially outwardly from the O-ring sealingelement 102 is an annular actuating collar 114 which extends around theconduit system 55 between the outer periphery thereof and the innerperiphery of the counterbore 106. Both the collar 114 and the endsection 108 are adapted to be longitudinally or axially slidable withinthe counterbore 106, with the collar 114 being resiliently urged awayfrom the outer end of the discharge spout 54 by means of a helical coilspring 116 which is disposed around the outer periphery of the conduitend section 108. As shown, the spring 116 operates t0 resiliently biasthe collar 114 and O-ring 112 axially inwardly, thereby urging the swageportion 110 into abutting engagement with the generally radiallydisposed shoulder 118 at the inner end of the counter,

bore 106. The outer end of the coil spring 116 bears against theunderside of a threaded collar member 120 which is threadably secured tothe outer end of the discharge section 58. As will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, the swage portion 110 of the terminal endsection 108 of the conduit system 55 is normally resiliently biased intoabutting engagement with the shoulder 118 under the influence of thespring 116; however, at such time as a back pressure condition of apredetermined magnitude occurs within the conduit system 55, the conduitsystem 55 will tend to move axially outwardly relative to the dischargespout 54, whereupon the end section 108 will move axially in thedirection of the arrow 121 in FIG. 4, resulting in concomitant movementof the collar 114 and compression of the spring 116. At such time as theback pressure within the conduit system 55 drops below the aforesaidmagnitude, the conduit 55 will be biased by means of the spring 116 backto the orientation or position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

As best seen in FIG. 4, one side of the discharge section 58 of thedischarge spout 54 is formed with an elongated axially extending slot oraperture 122 through which a suitable fastening element, such as a screwor the like 124 extends. The inner end of the screw 124 is threadablyengaged with the collar 114, while the outer end of the screw 124extends through and is secured to an elongated arm section 126 of anL-shaped actuating bracket, generally designated by the numeral 128. Thebracket 128 includes a relatively short arm section 130 which isintegrally connected to the arm section 126 and extends at a right anglethereto. The elongated arm section 126 of the bracket 128 extendsgenerally parallel to the axis of the discharge section 58 of the spout54 and by virtue of the inner connection between the bracket 128 and thecollar 114 via the screw 124, the bracket 128 is adapted to move axiallyof the discharge section 58 simultaneously with movement of the collar114 within the counterbore 106.

The switch assembly 102 includes a switch housing 132 which is providedwith a pair of electrical terminals 134 and 136 that are adapted to beconnected to the electrical circuitry of the associated ice makingapparatus l0. Disposed interiorly of the assembly 102 is a suitableelectrical switch mechanism which is adapted to be actuated to open andclose a circuit between the terminals 134, 136 in a manner well known inthe art. Means for actuating such switching device within the assembly102 is provided by an actuating element 138 which extends outwardly fromone side of the switch housing 132 at a position adjacent the armsection 130 of the actuating bracket 128. It will be appreciated, ofcourse, that the switch assembly may be of any one of a number ofsuitable constructions; however, in accordance with one preferred formof the present invention, the assembly 102 is constructed such that theelectrical circuit is completed between the terminals 134 and 136 whenthe actuating element 138 is in a fully extended position. At such timeas the element 138 is biased toward the switch housing 132 or in thegeneral direction of the arrow 121 in FlG. 4, the aforesaid circuitrybetween the terminals 134, 136 is intended to be opened or broken. Theswitch assembly 102 may be operatively connected to the electricalsystem of the associated ice making machine in a variety of differentways, whereby to effect energization and deenergization thereof inresponse to the occurrence of a back pressure condition created withinthe conduit system 55 as a result of ice being transmitted therethrough.For example, the terminals 134, 136 may be operatively connected withthe electric motor which functions to effect rotation of the auger l4,whereupon the motor will become deenergized at such time as theaforesaid back pressure condition exists within the conduit system 55.Additionally, if desired, the switch assembly 102 may also beoperatively connected with the associated refrigeration system, wherebyto deenergize the entire refrigeration system associated with thecooling coils 32. It will be appreciated, of course, that the presentinvention is in no way intended to be limited to either of suchexemplary methods of operatively connecting the switch assembly 102 withthe associated refrigeration system.

The switch assembly 102 is adapted to be operatively mounted upon thedischarge spout 54 by means of a suitable mounting bracket or the like,representatively designated by the numeral 140. The bracket 140 ispreferably provided with a guideway means 142 which extends generallyparallel to the discharge section 58 of the spout 54 and is adapted tosupport the L-shaped bracket 128 for longitudinal movement between thesolid and phantom line positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, whereby the armsection 130 of the bracket 128 is adapted for selective engagement withthe actuating element 138 of the switch assembly 102. More particularly,the switch assembly 102 is oriented relative to the actuating bracket128 such that the arm section 130 thereof is normally held in a positiondisengaged from the actuating element 138; however, at such time as thecollar 114 moves axially outwardly in the direction of the arrow 121 inFIG. 4, the actuating bracket 128 will move from the solid line positionin FIG. 4 to the phantom line position, whereupon the actuating element138 of the switch assembly 102 will actuate the assembly 102 to open orbreak the circuit between the terminals 134 and 136, thereby effectingdeenergization of the associated ice making machine 10. At such time asthe back pressure condition within the conduit system 55 is alleviated,the spring 116 will cause the end section 108 of the conduit system 55to move axially inwardly, i.e., in the opposite direction from the arrow121 in FIG. 4, whereupon the collar 114 and actuating bracket 128 willmove from the phantom line position in FIG. 4 to the solid lie position,thereby line the actuating element 138 to move to its extended position,resulting in closing of the circuit between the terminals 134, 136,whereby to effect deenergization of the ice making machine 10.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustratedherein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it willbe appreciated that the present invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the scope ofthe invention. We claim: 1. An ice making apparatus comprising a housingmember defining an ice forming chamber and providing an inner surface Onwhich thin layers of ice are formed,

auger means rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamber and having ahelical blade extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent theinner surface of the tubular housing member,

means on the housing member and defining an ice discharge passage,

conduit means communicable with said last mentioned means fortransferring ice from the apparatus to some predetermined locationremote therefrom, at least a portion of said conduit means and said lastmentioned means being movable relative to one another, and

means operable in response to relative movement between said conduitmeans and the said last mentioned means for opening and closing anelectrical circuit communicating the apparatus with a source ofelectrical energy.

2. The invention as set'forth in claim 1 wherein said means operable inresponse to said relative'movement comprises switch means actuable inresponse to movement of said conduit means relative to said lastmentioned means.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includesa discharge spout defining said discharge passage, and wherein saidportion of said conduit means is mounted generally coaxially of saiddischarge passage and is movable relative thereto.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said switch means ismounted on one side of said discharge spout and includes an actuatingelement for opening and closing a circuit between first and secondswitch terminals.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein one end of said conduitmeans is nestingly received within said discharge passage, whichincludes spring means resiliently biasing said one end of said conduitmeans toward a first position within said discharge passage, and whichincludes actuating bracket means movable concomitantly with movement ofsaid one end of said conduit means toward a second position foractuating said switch means.

6. The invention as set forth in claim which includes guideway means forsupporting said actuating bracket means for movement generally axiallyof said discharge passage.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 which includes an annularcollar member disposed within said discharge passage circumjacent saidone end of said conduit means, and which includes connecting meansoperatively connecting said collar member with said actuating bracketmeans.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 4 which includes electricalcircuit means connecting said terminals of said switch means with asource of electrical energy and with said apparatus, and wherein saidswitch means is operable to open and close said circuit to selectivelyinterrupt the supply of electrical energy from said source thereof tosaid apparatus.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit means ismovable relative to the said last mentioned means.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the portion of saidconduit means adjacent the said last mentioned means is generallycylindrical in shape and wherein said portion is movable relative to thelast mentioned means in a direction parallel to the axis of saidcylindrical conduit portion.

11. An ice making apparatus comprising a housing member defining an iceforming chamber and providing an inner surface on which thin layers ofice are formed,

auger means rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamber and having ahelical blade extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent theinner surface of the housing member,

means defining an ice discharge passage,

means communicable with said passage and defining an interior surfacealong which ice moves away from said housing,

one portion of said surface being movable relative to another portion ofsaid surface, and

means operable in response to relative movement between said surfaceportions for opening and closing an electrical circuit communicating aportion of the apparatus with a source of electrical energy.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first surfaceportion is defined by conduit means and is movable relative to saidsecond surface portion.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said apparatusincludes a discharge spout defining said discharge passage, and whereinsaid portion of said conduit means is mounted generally coaxially ofsaid discharge passage and is movable relative thereto.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said switch means ismounted on one side of said discharge spout and includes an actuatingelement for opening and closing a circuit between first and secondswitch terminals.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein one end of saidconduit means is nestingly received within said discharge passage, whichincludes spring means resiliently biasing said one end of said conduitmeans toward a first position within said discharge passage, and whichincludes actuating bracket means movable concomitantly with movement ofsaid one end of said conduit means toward a second position foractuating said switch means.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 which includes guideway meansfor supporting said actuating bracket means for movement generallyaxially of said' discharge passage.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 15 which includes an annularcollar member disposed within said discharge passage circumjacent saidone end of said conduit means, and which includes connecting meansoperatively connecting said collar member with said actuating bracketmeans.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes electricalcircuit means connecting said terminals of said switch means with asource of electrical energy and with said apparatus, and wherein saidswitch means is operable to open and close said circuit to selectivelyinterrupt the supply of electrical energy from said source thereof tosaid apparatus.

1. An ice making apparatus comprising a housing member defining an iceforming chamber and providing an inner surface on which thin layers ofice are formed, auger means rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamberand having a helical blade extending outwardly therefrom and terminatingadjacent the inner surface of the tubular hoUsing member, means on thehousing member and defining an ice discharge passage, conduit meanscommunicable with said last mentioned means for transferring ice fromthe apparatus to some predetermined location remote therefrom, at leasta portion of said conduit means and said last mentioned means beingmovable relative to one another, and means operable in response torelative movement between said conduit means and the said last mentionedmeans for opening and closing an electrical circuit communicating theapparatus with a source of electrical energy.
 2. The invention as setforth in claim 1 wherein said means operable in response to saidrelative movement comprises switch means actuable in response tomovement of said conduit means relative to said last mentioned means. 3.The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes adischarge spout defining said discharge passage, and wherein saidportion of said conduit means is mounted generally coaxially of saiddischarge passage and is movable relative thereto.
 4. The invention asset forth in claim 3 wherein said switch means is mounted on one side ofsaid discharge spout and includes an actuating element for opening andclosing a circuit between first and second switch terminals.
 5. Theinvention as set forth in claim 3 wherein one end of said conduit meansis nestingly received within said discharge passage, which includesspring means resiliently biasing said one end of said conduit meanstoward a first position within said discharge passage, and whichincludes actuating bracket means movable concomitantly with movement ofsaid one end of said conduit means toward a second position foractuating said switch means.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5which includes guideway means for supporting said actuating bracketmeans for movement generally axially of said discharge passage.
 7. Theinvention as set forth in claim 5 which includes an annular collarmember disposed within said discharge passage circumjacent said one endof said conduit means, and which includes connecting means operativelyconnecting said collar member with said actuating bracket means.
 8. Theinvention as set forth in claim 4 which includes electrical circuitmeans connecting said terminals of said switch means with a source ofelectrical energy and with said apparatus, and wherein said switch meansis operable to open and close said circuit to selectively interrupt thesupply of electrical energy from said source thereof to said apparatus.9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit means ismovable relative to the said last mentioned means.
 10. The invention asset forth in claim 9 wherein the portion of said conduit means adjacentthe said last mentioned means is generally cylindrical in shape andwherein said portion is movable relative to the last mentioned means ina direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical conduit portion.11. An ice making apparatus comprising a housing member defining an iceforming chamber and providing an inner surface on which thin layers ofice are formed, auger means rotatably mounted in the ice forming chamberand having a helical blade extending outwardly therefrom and terminatingadjacent the inner surface of the housing member, means defining an icedischarge passage, means communicable with said passage and defining aninterior surface along which ice moves away from said housing, oneportion of said surface being movable relative to another portion ofsaid surface, and means operable in response to relative movementbetween said surface portions for opening and closing an electricalcircuit communicating a portion of the apparatus with a source ofelectrical energy.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 whereinsaid first surface portion is defined by conduit means and is movablerelative to said second surface portion.
 13. The invention as set forthin claim 12 wHerein said apparatus includes a discharge spout definingsaid discharge passage, and wherein said portion of said conduit meansis mounted generally coaxially of said discharge passage and is movablerelative thereto.
 14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 whereinsaid switch means is mounted on one side of said discharge spout andincludes an actuating element for opening and closing a circuit betweenfirst and second switch terminals.
 15. The invention as set forth inclaim 13 wherein one end of said conduit means is nestingly receivedwithin said discharge passage, which includes spring means resilientlybiasing said one end of said conduit means toward a first positionwithin said discharge passage, and which includes actuating bracketmeans movable concomitantly with movement of said one end of saidconduit means toward a second position for actuating said switch means.16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 which includes guideway meansfor supporting said actuating bracket means for movement generallyaxially of said discharge passage.
 17. The invention as set forth inclaim 15 which includes an annular collar member disposed within saiddischarge passage circumjacent said one end of said conduit means, andwhich includes connecting means operatively connecting said collarmember with said actuating bracket means.
 18. The invention as set forthin claim 14 which includes electrical circuit means connecting saidterminals of said switch means with a source of electrical energy andwith said apparatus, and wherein said switch means is operable to openand close said circuit to selectively interrupt the supply of electricalenergy from said source thereof to said apparatus.